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Whatever the story requires, she'll produce it. And her walking-tour audience -- usually students or visitors to Gettysburg -- love her for it.
"She gets, like, wicked into it," 13-year-old Emily McCarthy, of Braintree, Mass., whispered approvingly on a recent tour.
"She's part of the story," said Emily's aunt, Brenda Rozzi, 41.
As a girl, Anschuetz sat under a table where the adults of her family chatted, patiently waiting for the stories to flow forth.
Some of the best came from her grandmother, Bertha, who spoke of everything from adventures in midwifery to fairies living under toadstools. When Anschuetz's children were young, she passed on stories to them.
Today, the 45-year-old history buff has turned passion into profession.
After years on the Gettysburg ghost-tour circuit, she founded American Stories Historic Walking Tours in 1999.
When she's not leading tourists down the sidewalks of Gettysburg, she spends much of her time operating her family's farmette outside New Oxford in Tyrone Township, Adams County.
What sets Anschuetz apart from other Civil War storytellers is she focuses on the citizens of Gettysburg during and after the legendary 1863 battle, rather than soldiers on the front lines.
"To me, what each individual guy did is more interesting than what these 10,000 did," Anschuetz said.
In costume, she'd fit in walking along Baltimore Street in the 1860s. She wears wire-rim glasses and no makeup. Her Victorian-style day dress has a hoop skirt that sways like a bell. A black snood covers blond hair. Her simple hand basket holds a water bottle to soothe a dry throat.
"It's pretty cool that people pay me to talk," she said.
Anschuetz crafts her tales from bits and pieces of history she has gleaned from books over the years.
Historical accounts don't always include the details needed for a compelling narrative or a fully developed character. Anschuetz has no qualms about using her imagination to round things out.
Take her Civil War "Fact or Fiction" tour. Participants hear eight accounts of things that happened to Gettysburg residents during the battle and, at the end, the tourists guess which are true.
Take the tale of pocket testament of Silas Smith, a member of the Union army. As Anschuetz tells it, a Confederate soldier found Smith's Bible on a blood-soaked battlefield in central Virginia inscribed with Smith's name and address in Wrightsville.
Later, the soldier is camping in Wrightsville as his unit attempts to take the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge in 1863.
He seeks out the home where Smith grew up -- a home the Smith family fled before the Confederates arrived.
When the Smiths later return to check on things, they found sooty footprints around the home and their son's testament on the dining room table. Silas had been killed in action, so the return of something so precious was important to them.
Fact or fiction? The premise is true: Silas Smith's testament found its way home from the battlefield.
But Anschuetz's details -- what the Confederate soldier was feeling as he walked around the Smiths' home, his sooty footprints on the floor -- those are a storyteller's prerogative,
"I think, what was his motivation? What would encourage this character to pick the book up? I chose to make him a young man, like Silas was when he died. But we don't know," she said.
"You think, what would the background have been to this story? Why would Josephine Miller have baked bread, handing out loaves to soldiers during Pickett's Charge? What do we know about human beings?"
With that knowledge, she fills in the holes of history.
"I don't just want to open your head and fill you with facts," she said.
"I want you to enter my world."
771-2024; mburke@ydr.com
MEET PAT
Name: Patricia M. Anschuetz
Age: 45
Hometown: Essex, Md.
Lives in: Tyrone Township, Adams County
Family: Husband Kurt; children Kevan, 23; Rachel, 21; and Kyle, 18
Occupation: Professional storyteller and farmer
STORY COMPANY
Name: American Stories Historic Walking Tours
Established: 1999
Based in: Gettysburg
Tours: By appointment
Contact: 624-8154 or 1820farm@pa.net
MORE STORYTELLERS
Name: Julie Kell
Age: 44
Lives in: Windsor Township
Story: I've been writing since about age 6. My mom still has my first "book" about a dirty little kid.
I am currently in the process of putting my life experiences, which are horrendous as well as stupendous, into an autobiography. I've been told this is my strongest talent and I should embrace my love of expression. I write with integrity and heart.
My writings are by multiple authors. How is this? I was officially diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder in July 2006. I have four alter personalities and two of them can take over executive control of my daily life. I have myriad stories, experiences and feelings to write about from any given angle.
Name: Peter Ruth
Age: 22
Lives in: Spring Garden Township
Story: I am a recent graduate of Lebanon Valley College, where I double majored in history and political science. During my four years at school, I developed a reputation as one of the premiere storytellers at the three local bars in Annville (The Batdorf, Johnson's and The Corvette Grill) - as well as a hilarious re-capper of the previous night's events (that is, of what can be recalled).
Before you assume that my stories only amuse those under the influence, I assure you my attention to detail, wit and outrageous sense of humor were enjoyed and praised by the many professors and faculty who, I am thankful to say, had a positive influence on my development as an undergraduate student.
Name: Anthony D. Fredericks, children's book author
Age: 61
Lives in: Dover Township
Story: For me, storytelling is a never-fail way to connect with youngsters' minds and souls and hearts! To watch the gleam of excitement in students' eyes while sharing a new book, to observe the look of recognition when presenting a familiar story, or to see kids' faces light up when embellishing a timeless tale are professional "perks" for any educator.
I believe that storytelling is the quintessential classroom activity because it brings life, vitality, and substance to reading. Childrens' senses are stimulated, their mental images are energized and their literary experiences are forever fortified through the magic of storytelling.
Name: Terry Bluett
Age: 64
Lives in: Loganville
Story: As a living historian, I am J.W. Gitt of Hanover. I was born in 1821 and passed in 1898. I am a member of Pennsylvania Past Players, and I follow the paths of the Civil War trails telling my stories in the local Preserve America communities. I talk about the battle of Hanover, the Confederate siege of Carlisle and Mechanicsburg. I describe the burning of the Wrightsville Bridge and the surrender in York. I also have local stories about my life in the 1800s.
For example, in 1863 Gen. Custer tied his horse to the maple tree in front of my emporium on the square in Hanover. I was proud of that. The town wanted to cut that tree down. I refused and took my case all the way to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and won. Coming back to the 21st century, I am proud to see my grandson was named after me and was publisher of the Gazette & Daily newspaper for more than 50 years. He was very controversial and much like me.
Name: Rainey Hayes
Age: 33
Lives in: York
Story: I do cartoons like the ones found in the comics sections of newspapers. I have drawn up many cartoons and shown them to my schoolmates, co-workers and friends. I want to get my cartoons published in newspapers, magazines and the Internet. I also would like to expand my cartooning into animation, both with drawings and puppets. I would like to publish the animation clips on the Internet along with my regular cartoons.
Name: Joyce E. (Stough) Gearhart
Age: 67
Lives in: East Manchester Township
Story: I was born telling stories - to my family, to the neighbors. I added my own endings to childhood tales. My father called me his little "prevaricator." In college, I studied oral interpretation and have narrated numerous programs. While traveling, I'd tell stories to our two children and now grandchildren. I record events in poetry. For two years, I was a storyteller at Martin Library. Most recently, I was dubbed "Gramcracker" by my eldest grandchild, so I use that title "Gramcracker the Storyteller" and dress in costume when I appear at their schools to present stories in various forms. I am energized by eager listeners!
Name: Bob Gingerich of Mountain Moon Storytellers
Age: 69
Lives in: Spring Garden Township
Story: I've been a storyteller and listener and learner for more than 30 years. Our stories come from many places, stimulated by our experiences. Stories tell us so much about people and values and fears and joys.
Our latest pursuit is Vietnamese stories. This has been motivated by our daughter's adoption of a beautiful girl. As a family, we went to Vietnam to complete the adoption when she was 5 months old (she's now 21 months). Our daughter named her daughter Isabella Kim Thao Gingerich (she is a single mom). As ong (grandpa in Vietnamese), I wanted to be able to tell her stories. I came back with 30-plus books of Vietnamese stories. I was surprised to discover they did not all have very happy endings (or what we see as happy endings). In a Cinderella-style story, the poor sister is killed three times before she is reunited with his true love. There are many grand stories about watermelons and self-reliance and toads, bees and tigers making friends.
Name: Beth G. Rebert of Fun-In-It Storytelling
Age: 47
Lives in: Penn Township
Story: I have been a storyteller for the past four years, performing in local schools, libraries and churches. I was inspired to present reading to children in this way because storytelling lets children use their imaginations. It allows children to paint visual pictures in their mind which will inspire them to enjoy reading. My goal each time I tell a story to children is to make reading fun. This has inspired me to call my business Fun-In-It Storytelling.
Name: Elmer J. Kern
Age: 74
Lives in: Springettsbury Township
Story: I love talk and stories. I joined a writers class and created 120 stories. Once on a cruise, I was a stand-up comic. The crowd and I had a ball! I love to emcee and ad lib. I do this as president of the Dallastown Golden Agers.
I tell my now famous "Jocko" stories to my children and grandchildren. I cannot escape without telling a Jocko story, which is made up in the moment. Not even I know how they end! This talking monkey wows and delights children, even as he challenges their memories, math skills and imaginations.
Name: Bill Brundick
Age: 65
Lives in: East Hopewell Township
Story: For me as an author, storytelling is a wonderful hobby. Writing a story can allow the writer to be in exciting and imaginative situations, and work out difficult circumstances. Over the past few years, I have written 27 stories, and I am now crafting my 28th. Writing is pure pleasure for me, but if someone else cares to read my tales, that's fine. My advice to budding authors: Write for yourself and the fun of it. Writing can be satisfying in its own right. Let any financial rewards, if they are to materialize at all, take care of themselves.
Name: Chris Chilcote
Age: "Older than my teeth, younger than my words."
Lives in: Shrewsbury Township
Story: Am I a spellbinding storyteller at gatherings? Nope. That would have been my paternal grandmother or my maternal grandfather. As immigrants from the "old country," they had stories to tell. However, I am a published author of children's stories (in children's magazines - not books), a former children's librarian and still give story-time performances for the summer reading program.
I take either one of my original stories or a classic fairy tale and add my own sense of humor for a twist. The children (and their parents) are encouraged to mimic the motions, use different voices to repeat refrains and add figures to a flannel board while helping me tell the story.
Name: Korinne Troshak
Age: 16
Lives in: North York
Story: I can tell a pretty good tale, from faux to real. I know that there are a lot of people that are storytellers, and I happen to be among them. When I grow up, all the careers I aspire to be involve storytelling in some way. I was one of the many writers and actors for the play "Reach." I wrote three of the parts. At social gatherings, I'm always the one breaking the ice and telling the stories. I love telling stories, and it's one of the things I enjoy most in life.
Names: Jan Kinney and Ann Van Kuren of Stories 'n Motion
Ages: 50ish and 47, respectively
Live in: Altoona and State College, respectively
Story: The duo of Stories 'n Motion make storytelling five dimensional. Kinney is a positively animated, in-the-moment storyteller who knows what perks the ears of listeners of any age. She has a knack for finding great tales (especially unheard ones) and making them her own (imagine a rap version of Three Billy Goats Gruff).
Ann, a movement artist, brings the third dimension to the stories through her craft of creative interpretive movement. She takes it further by introducing new and imaginative ways to mix movement into the story. The fourth dimension is time, which stands still as the listener is transported to another world (dimension five) for the timeless, magical moment where the story unfolds. A sixth dimension opens when Jan and Ann engage their audience - whether kindergartners or older students - to become storytellers and movement artists who then tell the stories of their own.
Name: Doris L. Strausbaugh
Age: 81
Lives in: West Manchester Township
Story: I cherish happy memories, so I put my thoughts on paper and came up with a true story about 12 fun years of my life.
When the 6-year-olds started school last September, the wheels started turning in my head and my 12 years in school suddenly became a vivid memory.
It amazes me how an 81-year-old brain can retain memories of 75 years ago, but when I sit down to write in my diary at night, I have trouble remembering what I did that morning. Like I always say, "Life is full of memories. Keep them happy."
Name: Davey Deickman
Age: 17
Lives in: Red Lion
Story: I've been writing science fiction since I was 14. I've always wanted to write a story that expanded the imagination, which is why I decided to write sci-fi. What makes me a writer is my in-depth stories about anti-heroes, being heroes in their own way, proving the corruption of the government much like our world today in the intense, vivid setting in which my characters live in. What makes me a writer is the fact that I do write even though I may never get published.
Name: Nicole Mann
Age: 36
Lives in: Dover
Story: I have been writing stories and poetry since I was little. Draping life's journey in story - in metaphor and symbol - often helps people to see and claim vital truths about themselves and find their place in a larger adventure. A good story is full of sensory detail. Recently, I've been writing stories for a children's massage program. Cookie the Caterpillar hangs in his chrysalis while the wind blows (gently tap on back with cupped hands), the rain falls (drag fingertips down the back), and the sun shines (make circular motions with flat palms across scapulas). Including the sense of touch helps children relax and remember the story.
Name: Marie Winger
Age: 50-plus
Lives in: Lancaster
Story: My craft is storytelling. If I have income, it is from storytelling. I tell in many settings, for any age. I am a performing artist whose material is based on folklore and classic fairytales, researched and honed into finished pieces ready for the telling. A few of my stories are based on my life experiences; all have a strong personal connection. I have produced storytelling events nationally, regionally and locally. Most of my recent work has been in the theater setting with longer more sophisticated pieces developed for grown-up audiences. Heart to heart, mouth to ear - that is my calling.
Name: Paul (Mike) Walker
Age: 67
Lives in: Manheim Township
Story: I was raised in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Living "BT" (before television) in my early life, radio, books and the spoken word were all that we had. The communication between people was basically to entertain, educate and aid in the development of values. This is not to imply a specific religious position - just a sense of fairness, of right and wrong.
I went to a one-room country school, was the first to finish high school from our rural valley, was the first to go to college, received additional degrees and worked for South Western school system. I taught over 7,000 students as a mentor, parent and friend.
I used my lessons in life as a way to help others in their personal struggles and have spent 45 years helping people recover from disasters both in our nation and abroad. I tell stories about, among other things, rural life and beauty of our land, country school life and how to enjoy the past, the impact of change and our clash of societies, the beauty of discovery and how learning is great.
These stories are all my own. To tell them to others is to simply re-tell that which we, already, should be able to share from our own past with the storyteller just being the catalyst for the experience.
ONLINE
--- National Storytelling Network, www.storynet.org
--- Northeast Storytelling Festival, www.northeaststorytellingfestival.org
--- Mountain Moon Storytellers, www.mtnmoonstorytellers.com
--- Stoop Storytelling, www.stoopstorytelling.com
--- Mountain Women, members.tripod.com/storytellerwv/index.html
ABOUT THE SERIES
The "In Search Of" series is a monthly feature discovering the labels we give ourselves and others, and how they help us identify what's important in our lives.
Each month this year, we'll feature York or Adams county residents who fall into a variety of categories. Look for stories about collectors, performers, hobbyists, activists and caretakers, to name a few. Read previous stories.
SEE MORE OF OUR STORYTELLERS
